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Safety and Prevention
Defensive Driving
Drunk drivers are the most dangerous violators of traffic safety and contribute to almost half of all highway deaths. After midnight, one out of every 10 highway drivers is impaired. It's worse during holidays. Historically, holiday periods such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's have a higher incidence of drunk driving accidents.
Look for these warning signs to spot a drunk driver
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Unusually wide turns |
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Straddling the center lane or lane marker |
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Weaving or swerving |
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Sudden stops |
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Tailgating |
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Rapid acceleration |
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No headlights at night |
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Nearly hitting a car or object |
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Drifting |
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Slow response to traffic signals |
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Driving in the wrong direction |
What you should do?
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Maintain a safe distance. Don't try to pass. The drunk driver might swerve into you. |
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If a drunk driver is behind you, turn right at the nearest intersection so the car can pass you. |
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If the drunk driver is coming head-on, move right to the shoulder and stop. Use your horn and lights to get his or her attention. |
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When approaching an intersection, especially after midnight, slow down and expect the unexpected. |
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Use your seat belts and shoulder restraints, and keep your doors locked. |
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Get the drunk driver's license number, get to a phone, and report it to the police. |
This information highlights examples of safety precautions you can consider to protect yourself, your family, and your property. This list is not meant to be all-inclusive. Moreover, a particular precaution may not be effective or appropriate in all circumstances. We encourage you to use your own good judgement about what's appropriate.
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